Issue date: 5/14/08
Thanks to the installation of campus solar panels and the energy they saved, Contra Costa College will be receiving more than $1 million in Pacific Gas & Electric rebates over the next five years, district officials say.
The rebate will be given to CCC because of its conservation of more than 300 million kilowatts of energy, district project manager Teresa Greenwell said.
When the funds are received, they will go back into the Measure A bond money, district project manager Ray Pyle said.
"The money will be spent as bond money, even though it's a rebate," Pyle said.
The funds will then be reinvested into the college through building, construction and any other maintenance needed around campus, CCC President McKinley Williams said.
CCC will not be the only college in the district receiving a rebate, however, as Diablo Valley and Los Medanos colleges will also be rewarded for their energy conservation.
DVC will receive roughly $2.8 million, while LMC will be given just over $2 million. The two colleges will receive more money because of their size and amount of solar panels installed, Greenwell said.
All campuses are expected to continue receiving rebates. The district should receive roughly $6 million over the next five years, she said.
Prior to installation, each campus was evaluated to determine its solar energy needs.
"There was an evaluation done at every college to see where the solar panels were going to go," Greenwell said.
CCC officials wanted to put the solar panels on Campus Drive, she said, but there was not enough room and their installation would block the view of the campus.
Although it may not have been the college's first choice, the solar panels' current location in Lot 10 has been well received by students.
"The location of the solar panels couldn't have been a better one," student Brooke Locklin said. "I park there sometimes and it keeps my car out of the sun, so when I get in it's not all hot and sticky."
The solar panels will remain in use, saving money for the colleges, Greenwell said.
Contact Lamar James at ljames.advocate@gmail.com.
The rebate will be given to CCC because of its conservation of more than 300 million kilowatts of energy, district project manager Teresa Greenwell said.
When the funds are received, they will go back into the Measure A bond money, district project manager Ray Pyle said.
"The money will be spent as bond money, even though it's a rebate," Pyle said.
The funds will then be reinvested into the college through building, construction and any other maintenance needed around campus, CCC President McKinley Williams said.
CCC will not be the only college in the district receiving a rebate, however, as Diablo Valley and Los Medanos colleges will also be rewarded for their energy conservation.
DVC will receive roughly $2.8 million, while LMC will be given just over $2 million. The two colleges will receive more money because of their size and amount of solar panels installed, Greenwell said.
All campuses are expected to continue receiving rebates. The district should receive roughly $6 million over the next five years, she said.
Prior to installation, each campus was evaluated to determine its solar energy needs.
"There was an evaluation done at every college to see where the solar panels were going to go," Greenwell said.
CCC officials wanted to put the solar panels on Campus Drive, she said, but there was not enough room and their installation would block the view of the campus.
Although it may not have been the college's first choice, the solar panels' current location in Lot 10 has been well received by students.
"The location of the solar panels couldn't have been a better one," student Brooke Locklin said. "I park there sometimes and it keeps my car out of the sun, so when I get in it's not all hot and sticky."
The solar panels will remain in use, saving money for the colleges, Greenwell said.
Contact Lamar James at ljames.advocate@gmail.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
WillG
posted 7/16/08 @ 9:23 AM PST
Well Done!! It is good to see that type of energy conservation.
Solar panels, when used in conjunction with green roofs really make a big difference. (Continued…)
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